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 January 2006 Back to Table of Contents Back to Archives Main Page Section: Arts & Letters Magical Jackie Jocko By Elena Cala Buscarino Local entertainer Jackie Jocko has been performing since the 1950s and he’s still making new fans. His brilliant piano renditions of standards along with the other half of his duo, drummer Joe Peters, have thrilled audiences on the local and national level for these past 55 years. Jocko’s familiarity with the infinite number of standards in his repertoire frees him to do what he loves best from behind the keyboard: connect with people. Jocko is truly all about his audience.
By way of adding insight to Jocko’s personality, it should be explained that he is responsible for LaRue’s moniker as well as the name of his show. Upon seeing the statuesque LaRue decked out to attend the avant-garde Artists and Models art show one year, Jocko insisted she looked like a woman who ran the Bucket o’ Blood saloon in Reno, and who went by the name of Kitty LaRue. It stuck, as do many of the quirky names Jocko gives people, but make no mistake about it; it’s not because he can’t remember their names. Jocko has more ways than music to connect with audiences. Having traveled across the United States as well as international resorts for 30 years, Jocko and Peters have been, as Jocko says, “ — all over the place, honey!” Still, whenever he asks an audience member at EB Green’s Steakhouse in the Hyatt Hotel where they hail from, he’s always able to name a street or give some details about their home based on his experience there. “It makes people feel like they’re in their own private concert world with Jackie,” LaRue muses. One guest at the hotel, where Jocko plays each night, Tuesday through Saturday, surprised him last year. Ray Evans, the 90-year-old songwriter from Salamanca, New York, who wrote “Silver Bells” “Mona Lisa” and “Que Sera Sera” introduced himself to Jocko at the piano. Jocko immediately regaled Evans with his own creations, much to the songwriter’s liking, and the two have remained friends since, communicating regularly. Once home, Evans sent Jocko a note thanking him for keeping his music in the public eye. LaRue recalls another playing date when the Jocko-Peters duo played a senior home. “I sat back and realized that Jackie and Joe were older than a lot of the residents.” It was all well and good until one resident got up and interpreted the music through her movements. Worried about the woman’s well-being, “One of the workers came over and asked Jocko to stop making her dance,” giggled LaRue. “It was just unbelievable.” Trained as a classical pianist, Jocko was initiated into music through sitting in at local clubs when he was 12 years old. Of the musicians he played with, Jocko said, “I couldn’t even tell you who they were. All I know is that I was playing. And you know how kids are--they pick up everything.” Next, Jocko started a quartet called The Blue Flames, and then, when he and Peters were 18 and 22 respectively, they started playing clubs in Cleveland, Ohio, signing a contract with Mercury Records through Bill Randall, a famous DJ. From there, the duo worked Buffalo’s Towne Casino, various venues in Chicago, New York City’s Birdland, and then on to The Sahara in Las Vegas for five years. They then moved on to less hectic venues in Reno, Hawaii, Aruba, Dallas, Washington and scores of other places until they made their way back to Buffalo in the 70’s. Jocko will be the first to tell you that it’s good to be home. “Buffalo is groovy,” he contends. When asked if there is anything else he may have wanted to do with his life, Jocko responds, “Nothing!” He is his music. LaRue describes Jocko as light, fun, silly and serious — all at once. “He’s captured the child in an adult way,” she stated. I imagine it’s got to be wonderful, being on that side of the piano. He sees so much.” One thing LaRue is forever mindful of is Jackie’s uncanny ability to read people. She says that when Jocko starts a conversation with, “Can I be honest with you?” one had better be ready to hear some truths. “He’s never been off,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot from him, and I’m grateful every day to hear his voice on the other end of the phone.” As for his New Year’s resolutions, Jocko answers in exactly the way one would expect from this highly talented, happy, and deeply spiritual man, “There’s one thing,” Jocko says, “and that’s for God to guide you.” back to top back to table of contents Current Issue | About Forever Young | Where to Find | Advertise | Our Advertisers | Community Calendar | Contest | Clubs | Contact Us | Archives | Home |
